In separate reactions on Sunday, the South-East Governors Forum, the Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Southeast zone of the main opposition party, PDP, have all condemned the attack on former Deputy President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

They noted that Mr Ekweremadu has been at the forefront of championing the Igbo cause for emancipation.

The South-East Governors Forum said the IPOB order to attack the governors was an empty threat.

It also argued that attacking the governors would not solve the problem of their agitation for Biafra.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stated this in a reaction through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzo.

“They have no such spread and powers to track down South-East governors for attack anywhere in the world. They are too small. I don’t want to say they sound so cowardly, but they can’t see the governors to attack,” he said.

Mr Umahi said that the governors had no problem with the members of the outlawed group to warrant such an order.

According to him, the insecurity in the South-east was a nationwide challenge which could only be tackled by the federal government.

“If there is any issue IPOB holds against the governors, they should come home to settle it in Igboland instead of a foreign land.

“What happened was a security issue which was within the purview of the federal government. Attacking governors in a foreign land is a wild goose chase. We love them because they are our children.

“IPOB cannot achieve Biafra alone, except with the collaboration of all stakeholders including the governors. They don’t need to attack the governors to achieve Biafra.”

The governors warned the members of the proscribed body not to allow political opportunists to use them to destroy the South-east.

“They should come together and work with the governors and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve the Igbo Presidency come 2023 instead of fighting the governors. We want them to be close to us instead of taking the struggle to the international arena.”

‘Attack dangerous for Igbo solidarity’-Ohaneze

In its reaction, the Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, condemned the attack on the former deputy senate president.

A statement by the president-general of the organization, John Nwodo, described the attack as divisive and dangerous for Igbo solidarity.

“The assault on Ekweremadu by Igbos in Germany, described as IPOB, is disappointing, grotesque and dangerous for Igbo solidarity.

“It strengthens the case of those who describe them as terrorists and weaken our case against the infringement of our fundamental human rights,” Mr Nwodo said.

While noting that Mr Ekweremadu negotiated the sureties and securities for Nnamdi Kanu’s release on bail, Mr Nwodo said the senator does not deserve the violence.

“A disgrace to him is a disgrace to Igbo race,” he added.

“Whilst I condemn the attack on our revered son and leader, I call on the law enforcement agencies in Germany to bring to book the perpetrators of this despicable act. It is un-Igbo. It is disgraceful,” he said.

Southeast PDP condenms attack on Ekweremadu

The National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the South-east, Austin Umahi, also condemned the attack.

In a statement from his media office, Mr Umahi frowned at the action of the group against Mr Ekweremadu who he said has been at the forefront of the struggle against the marginalisation of Ndi-Igbo.

Mr Umahi urged Mr Ekweremadu not to be discouraged by the attack but to see it as one of the many sacrifices he has to pay in pursuit for justice and better treatment for Ndi-Igbo within and outside the country.

He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the pepertrators of the attack.

He advised any individual or group that has any genuine reason to agitate, to do so, through the Southeast Governors Forum, the Ohanaeze Ndi-igbo and through other legitimate means within Nigeria; rather than resorting to self help.